Well, this is one the landmarks of Web 2.0 and open source. Open ID is an amazing concept and it is catching on fast. OpenID has arisen from the open source community to solve the problems that could not be easily solved by other existing technologies. OpenID is a lightweight method of identifying individuals that uses the same technology framework that is used to identify websites. As such, OpenID is not owned by anyone, nor should it be. Today, anyone can choose to be an OpenID user or an OpenID Provider for free without having to register or be approved by any organization.
So why should you use OpenID? Here it goes.
- OpenID eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites, simplifying your online experience.
- You get to choose the OpenID Provider that best meets your needs and most importantly that you trust.
- Your OpenID can stay with you, no matter which Provider you move to.
- The OpenID technology is not proprietary and is completely free.
- For businesses, this means a lower cost of password and account management, while drawing new web traffic.
- It lowers user frustration by letting users have control of their login.
- It is an open, decentralized, free framework for user-centric digital identity.
- It takes advantage of already existing internet technology (URI, HTTP, SSL, Diffie-Hellman) and realizes that people are already creating identities for themselves whether it be at their blog, photostream, profile page, etc.
OpenID is still in the adoption phase and is becoming more and more popular, as large organizations like AOL, Microsoft, Sun, Novell, etc. begin to accept and provide OpenIDs. Today it is estimated that there are over 160-million OpenID enabled URIs with nearly ten-thousand sites supporting OpenID logins.
So do you get your OpenID? Its very simple and just a cross check that you might already have one. If you are registered with any of these already, I think you have an OpenID already.
- AOL
- LiveDoor
- Technorati
- Vox
- WordPress
- Livejournal
Please check the respective websites for more details. Its mostly your profile page on each of these that is your OpenID. I don’t have an account with all these so I can’t exactly tell you how it looks. Like for technorati it might look something like this: technorati.com/people/technorati/username
But these are some of the most popular providers for an OpenID. Check them out and register now on any of these. My personal recommendation would be myopenid.com
Of course, you can always use your own URI, blog URL, website, etc as your OpenID! Simon teaches you how to do that in the video. You can learn more about OpenID on this slideshow.
Some criticisms of the OpenID
There are some opinions about the same and I would say they are genuine. These problems and issues are bound to surface when something of this scale goes open source and power is given to anyone to use the OpenID.
- One ID, One password and what if its stolen or lost? I don’t have an answer to that.
- OpenID has security weaknesses and may prove vulnerable to phishing attacks.
- Addition of a 3rd party (the identity provider) into the authentication process significantly adds complexity
- Shifts responsibility for “quality” of authentication to the end user
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Nice one, Vinny. Not sure I understand this but it sounds interesting! I stumbled and dugg you…
Thanks dude! Useful info.. I created one for myself..
snazzy blog.
So its like a net passport except its not owned by one network. I like the idea that its conceiver’s accept that people are going to continue to invent identities rather than expect them to use their own on the internet where identity theft can occur.